If you are interested in taking a more in depth course then First 4 Sail is an accredited member of International Yacht Training (IYT) Worldwide. IYT operates boating courses in 180 schools in 45 countries and has more than 30 years worth of experience.

The course is designed to account for the Caribbean waters with small groups catered for so there is plenty of opportunity for each candidate to practice all the skills learnt over the period of
the course to improve on each aspect.

You will be issued with a logbook and certification to the standard dictated by the course.

Bareboat Skipper, Coastal Skipperand VHF Radio. If you are unsure whether sailing is for you then there is a one day
Introduction to Sailing that will teach some of the basic skills to see if you wish to further your education.

Most of the courses run over 5 days, these can be done concurrently or broken up over weekends.

First 4 Sail can also issue ICC (International Certificate of Competency) which is required to operate vessels in the majority of
European countries. This applies both to private and charter boats.

Introduction to Boating and International Crew

5 Day Course

Certificate Limitations

·
Crew on a vessel up to a maximum length of 78 ft /24 metres

·
in coastal waters up to 20 miles offshore

·
in daylight hours and in fair conditions with moderate wind and sea conditions

Course Outline

·
Nautical terminology

·
Safety briefing

·
Rope work

·
Basic rules of the road

·
Introduction to weather

·
Basic sail handling

·
Basic handling under power & sail

·
Man overboard procedures

·
Vessel equipment and instruments

·
Engine checks and maintenance

·
Deck seamanship

·
Sailing and power vessels handling skills

·
Dingy handling under power

Flotilla Skipper & VHF Radio Mile Building Course

This is a five day course which is aimed at increasing a student's knowledge and experience sufficiently to
"get you thinking like a captain" and to prepare them for the Bareboat skipper course and increase your logged miles. The recommended entry level requirements are International Crew course
or similar. This course will also include the VHF radio operator's licence which is a pre-requisite for further education.

Course Outlines

·
Man overboard procedures

·
Charts and chart work

·
Buoyage

·
Taking over a vessel and vessel checkout

·
Engine, tools, spares, safety equipment

·
Crew safety briefing

·
Galley and provisioning

·
Powerboat & Sailboat handling skills

·
Basic first aid

·
Collision regulations

·
Customs matters and legal requirements

·
Preparing a short passage

·
Anchoring

International Bareboat Skipper

This is a five day course. It is not for beginners and the recommended entry level requirements are a VHF
radio operators certificate, and to have logged over 200 nautical miles and 10 days at sea before advancing to this level. The recommended minimum age to obtain this certification is 18.

Certificate Limitations

·
Command of a vessel up to a maximum length of 78 ft /24 metres

·
In coastal waters up to 20 miles offshore

·
In daylight hours and in fair conditions with moderate wind and sea conditions

·
This certificate is the level of competence that one needs when chartering a boat in the Mediterranean or West Indies where there are restrictions in terms of cruising area and distance from the
base and the vessel has to be safely moored in a marina or anchored before dark

If you have a bit of time and wish to learn to sail and gain experience then you could try our “Zero to Hero” course which takes you from a complete novice up to Bareboat Skipper in 15 days.

Splitting the theory and practical work over the 15 days ensures that there is plenty of time out on the water enjoying the St Lucian sunshine and scenery as well as gaining all the background
knowledge in the classroom which is needed to become a skipper.

The first section of the course will introduce you to the basics of sailing so that you are able to become a valued member of a crew. You will come away from this course with your International
Crew certificate.

Before continuing on to the Bareboat skipper you will need to gain more experience and knowledge that will enable you to confidently enter onto the skipper course. Combining what you have already
learnt on your crew course, some more theory and practical experience will be introduced for you to practice. Whilst doing this you will be logging more sea miles that you will need to complete
your skipper course. Included in this mile building will be the VHF radio course which is a pre-requisite for the Bareboat Skipper. Depth of knowledge.

The final section of the course will be a 5 day practical and theory section that will lead you to the Bareboat Skipper qualification which is needed to be able to charter a yacht in most
countries.

IYT Coastal Skipper

We are now pleased to announce we offer the Coastal Skipper

The IYT Worldwide Yachtmaster Coastal certificate of competency for command of a sailing and /or power vessels up to 24 meters in length up to 60 nm offshore.

Please inquire for further details and minimum necessary entry requirements.

Proud new sailors

IYT International Crew students

Contact us at:

info@first4sail.com

+1 758 518 1187

+1 758 717 1628

Check out all our photos on our Instagram page below:

Winners of the

Mango Bowl Regatta

St Lucia

2015

runners up 2016/18

Winners of the

Bequia Easter Regatta

Mount Gay Friendship Race

2016

Second Place Overall

Bequia Easter Regatta 2017

Read the trials and tribulations of sailing our yacht down to the Caribbean in Untie the Lines by Emma Bamford, our crew
mate on the voyage.